WR450F vs. 250 smoker

shogun43

Hey, I have had both the YZ250 and WR450, I currently own the WR450. It really depends on the type of riding you do. The YZ is a great track bike, with great speed and handling. However, it was tough to ride in close quaters like trees and boulder sections. It also struggled pulling hills... not for lack of power but because it would lose traction if you reved it too hard and if you slowed down you risked stalling.

The WR is a great trail bike that pulls hills like a tractor and is great in the technical stuff. It has decent power and speed, but nothing like the YZ. On the track The WR would get lapped without major mods. I don't have much experience riding sand, but I would think that the YZ may perform better becasue it would get you planned up on the top faster than the WR.

2strokenut

Well form the advice I have gotten here, I believe the WR would suit my riding style more, some dunes and smaller jumps, lots of fire road type riding and long distance rides, mainly the areas where the WR shines. It is a 4 stroke with a reliable motor and is a plus because I don't have to mix gas and the KX would really limit the range of my rides as I don't like carrying extra fuel with me. It is fairly heavy but I think I can handle it just fine I just sold my 230 and I really doubt there is that much weight difference between my old CRF230 and this WR450. Thanks for all the advice and by the way if I did MX or shorter rides I would pick the KX but I just can't justify the fuel economy, and another issue is that the only premix oil available in my town is formula 1 (cheap stuff) and would have to drive at least a hour and a half both ways to get some oil, to much hassle.

Its a great bike, you cant go wrong with it. Range will be limited with the kx but larger tanks are available. I can do 50 hard miles on my stock tank so you might look at that. The Kx will be cheaper to buy, own and maintain. If you cant get 2-stroke oil where will you get 4 stroke oil? Have you ever ridden a 250? Try to ride a 250 just to see if you would like it. Either way both are excellent bikes:thumbsup:

fatchellparty

Its a great bike, you cant go wrong with it. Range will be limited with the kx but larger tanks are available. I can do 50 hard miles on my stock tank so you might look at that. The Kx will be cheaper to buy, own and maintain. If you cant get 2-stroke oil where will you get 4 stroke oil? Have you ever ridden a 250? Try to ride a 250 just to see if you would like it. Either way both are excellent bikes:thumbsup:

Never rode a 250 2 stroke, or a WR450F for that matter, but 50 mile rage is just out of the question for me.

off_road_4_me

Its a great bike, you cant go wrong with it. Range will be limited with the kx but larger tanks are available. I can do 50 hard miles on my stock tank so you might look at that. The Kx will be cheaper to buy, own and maintain. If you cant get 2-stroke oil where will you get 4 stroke oil? Have you ever ridden a 250? Try to ride a 250 just to see if you would like it. Either way both are excellent bikes:thumbsup:

you can atleast run valvoline 10w40 in the 4stroke, I would never run a cheapo 2t oil in a 2t.

2strokenut

Never rode a 250 2 stroke, or a WR450F for that matter, but 50 mile rage is just out of the question for me.

How much farther do you think you'll get with the 450? Maybe 70? Hopefully some 450 guys can chime in but my buddies who ride desert with me all have big tanks on their bikes and they dont get much more than me on my stock tank:excuseme:

Try to find someone with either bike to try. You may not like the 250, you may not like the 450:excuseme:

JSanfilippo

How much farther do you think you'll get with the 450? Maybe 70? Hopefully some 450 guys can chime in but my buddies who ride desert with me all have big tanks on their bikes and they dont get much more than me on my stock tank:excuseme:

Try to find someone with either bike to try. You may not like the 250, you may not like the 450:excuseme:

I have the stock 2.1 gal tank

Riding hard (mixed terrain) 50 miles a tank

Fast fire roads/two track is prob about 65 miles a tank

Once you get a WR 450f jetted correctly and running right, it isn't exactly a gas miser. But it isn't a two stroke either. My buddy's CR 250R takes a little over three gallons to travel the same distance my 2.1 gallon tank will take my fo-fiddy.

fatchellparty

Well this is the thing, I am a pretty small guy in the height department, about 5'7" and I think the WR is just to much bike for me. And there are also reasons why the 250 2 stroke is wrong for me. I am starting to lean towards a 450 MX'er now, as it is more akin to the 250 in weight and power and like the WR in that it is a 4 stroke. I think this is the solution for me.

2strokenut

Well this is the thing, I am a pretty small guy in the height department, about 5'7" and I think the WR is just to much bike for me. And there are also reasons why the 250 2 stroke is wrong for me. I am starting to lean towards a 450 MX'er now, as it is more akin to the 250 in weight and power and like the WR in that it is a 4 stroke. I think this is the solution for me.

Too much bike as in too heavy? I hate to break it to you but a wr450 and yz450 are very similar in weight and will still feel much heavier than a 250. At your size a 250 2t just makes sense. What about fuel range? It will be less with a 450 mxer. Plus you need to factor in higher maintenance costs.

dwiyrick

I can't stand it anymore....... It sounds like fire roads and some single track with small jumps is really your thing. Coming off a CRF230 you would be half nuts to jump onto a 250 smoker. The power is absolutely too abrupt and you will find yourself learning to handle the hit. The 450 is a great off-road bike that WILL SERVE YOU BETTER for the type of riding you describe. Being a short guy makes no difference since all the bikes in the class are all tall. If you go for a MX 4 stroke the engine charactoristics and gearing will take a lot of fun away from you in the single track stuff. Nobody can deny the smooth power delivery of a 450 with a wide ratio gear box - you can tractor along very slow, or fly down logging roads. As far as maintenance goes>change your oil!!! every other ride at least and keep the air filter clean. Change the oil filter at least every other oil change. Have the valves checked once the bike has hours on it and properly torqued and they will probably not move again. These engines are made to last. My last WR450 had 8k miles on it and it leaked down like new. I ride orange now, but would not hesitate to buy blue again as they never let me down. Honda or Yamaha wide ratio is really the bike for you!

Just_a_trail_rider

Too much bike as in too heavy? I hate to break it to you but a wr450 and yz450 are very similar in weight and will still feel much heavier than a 250. At your size a 250 2t just makes sense. What about fuel range? It will be less with a 450 mxer. Plus you need to factor in higher maintenance costs.

You are not at all correct on this. I have a wr450 (05) and have ridden a yz450 and they are not similar in weight. The YZ450 is definitely a lot lighter and you will notice the weight difference.

The yz250 feels lighter than both of them when you are riding it. But all three of them are heavy as hell when you have to pick them up after busting your ass out on the trail.

I race my wr450 and its one heavy SOB for a long race. I agree that you need to be a really good rider to get the most out of the wr450. If you are that good, then you will be rewarded with podium finishes.

If you are like me, not that good, a little outta shape, and carrying an extra cheeseburger (or two) around the middle, then you will get worn out very, very quickly by the wr450.

I am not riding any fireroads, I'm racing.

I'm 5-9 with a 31 inch inseam and I had the bike lowered an inch. It helps in the technical section.

However, I just bought myself a yz250 for those hard rides/races and will save the wr450 for cruising the fireroads.

fatchellparty

Aw shucks I dont wanna take all the credit lol. Your gonna love it man:worthy:

How much you getting it for?

3500 which includes gear and delivery from 3 hours away. Some may scoff at this price, but for the area I live in it is actually very good, as something to compare it to, I just sold my 2006 CRF230 for 3000 lol, bikes are expensive here but the re sale is also very awesome.

2strokenut

3500 which includes gear and delivery from 3 hours away. Some may scoff at this price, but for the area I live in it is actually very good, as something to compare it to, I just sold my 2006 CRF230 for 3000 lol, bikes are expensive here but the re sale is also very awesome.

I'm surprised your sold your 230 for that much:eek: Good job:thumbsup: